MOBILE, Ala. - Plenty of tight ends in the National Football League are known for their pass-catching skills. Individuals like Tony Gonzalez, Antonio Gates, Dallas Clark and Jason Witten have helped revolutionize the position at the professional level.
But it will be the ability to do far more than just catching the ball that will make both Paul Bennett and Kevin Helms so valuable to the University of South Alabama football team's offense in its inaugural season.
"This is one of the most demanding positions on offense because not only do they need to know all the route structures and what we are doing in the passing game, but they take on the added responsibility of being in the backfield doing what are running backs are doing in protection and what our offensive linemen are responsible for on the line of scrimmage," commented Mitch Rodrigue, who coaches the position. "They have a lot of different things they need to know."
"Other than quarterback, tight ends have the toughest job mentally," head coach Joey Jones added. "That's because they have to be an offensive lineman and know all the different blocking schemes, they have to know all the passing routes and they have to know the running game.
"Also, they need to be athletic enough to do all those things. There are not many people who can go in the box and block linebackers and linemen and also run post routes down the middle of the field.
"The position is as critical as any we have on offense because they make our running game better, and when you have a tight end who is athletic enough to split out then the defense doesn't know what to expect and do with their personnel. They give us a chance to create a lot of problems for the defense."
Not only have the duo learned their responsibilities in the Jag offensive scheme, but Rodrigue credits their physical abilities as to why these two have made themselves indispensable to the program. "Kevin is an extremely fast kid and he runs routes well, but he also brings to the table the ability to be a dominant run blocker. He's real aggressive and does a nice job at the line of scrimmage," observed Rodrigue. "Paul, on the other hand, is probably not as quick as Kevin, but he's really intelligent and does a great job running his routes. He has picked up on things really fast, so we are able to use him more line an H-back type of player who moves across the line of scrimmage and can block people from the outside in."
"Both are extremely athletic," said USA offensive coordinator Greg Gregory. "We can play them as static tight ends in the traditional position, off the line like an H-back and we can play them both detached. Because they can do all three it means we won't have to substitute that much."
The transition to the Jaguars' offensive scheme has been relatively smooth for Helms. He attributes that to the fact that USA will run a similar system to what he played in at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College the last two years. "It's pretty much the same blocking schemes as my old school," he stated. "I didn't really play much at slot receiver - they had me out there sometimes - but I knew most of the routes and that I can catch, so I fit into this offense pretty well. They get me the ball, I enjoy it."
For Bennett, earning as much playing time as he's expected to see in the fall came down to how hard he works.
"We all have to show a lot of effort, it's all about the team," said Bennett. "A lot of hard work goes into this, so we need to take care of our part. If you show the coaches that you're willing to work hard, they'll reward you for it."
While most tight ends are an afterthought if they are not catching the ball, especially with the number of colleges that have adopted a spread philosophy devoted to numerous four- and five-wideout sets, Gregory is planning on using the two extensively in the fall.
"Our tight ends will be on the field all the time because they are two of our best players," he laughed. "I would say we'll have at least one on the field 85-90 percent of the time, and we'll have two tight ends out there 60 percent of the time. We are not a spread football team, we are a one-back team.
"They both can block, they both can catch, they can do a lot of different things. We have to have them on the field."
The Jaguars have eight tight ends listed on the roster, but the path that Bennett and Helms have taken to USA has led them to emerge to the forefront of the group. The former played at UAB in 2007, while the latter helped lead MGCCC to a national championship that fall. In fact, Helms would go on to earn all-state honors last season as a sophomore.
"Paul and Kevin come here with a little bit more experience and knowledge of the game," stated Rodrigue. "Both were coached well at their previous schools, so they are not starting at ground zero like a freshman is."
Bennett, who lifted more weight than any other Jaguar over the summer, attributed his work in the weight room to helping put him in a position to contribute on the field. "I think that weightlifting makes a big difference," he commented. "You want to be strong and fast, so hard work off the field is just as important as hard work on the field. Plus, you bond with your teammates in the weight room so it's a good experience off the field."
Helms attributed his blocking skills as to why he'll be on the field often this season.
"I can down block, or I can go out there and block a safety or a cornerback," he analyzed. "I have a high motor, I can block pretty much anyone you put in front of me. I bring a hard-nosed mentality to the offense, I'm pretty tough and I like to play that way. It helps some of the other players play the same way."
The lack of attention is not something that bothers Bennett, who is direct in assessing his goals for the fall. "I just want to do my job, to make sure I have all my plays right," he stated. "I know we don't get a lot of love, but that's alright. We just try work hard, and everything will be good."
Helms's expectations for the season are more direct.
"I never accept losing," he said. "I'm 22-1 - I didn't play in one loss - as a college football player. I hope we win every one, and think that we will have a winning season. I can promise you that."
The Jags worked out for two hours in full pads Wednesday, the last time they will be in full gear until taking part in their final preseason scrimmage Friday. Thursday's 3:30 p.m. practice is scheduled to be in only helmets.
For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).
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